Irish-themed pub opens in Dr. Phillips

DR. PHILLIPS At Paddywagon Orlando, “there are no strangers here, only friends who haven’t met yet.”

Orlando’s newest Irish pub, located in the Dellagio Town Center in Dr. Phillips, officially opened for business Aug. 19 and hosted a grand-opening celebration Friday, Sept. 9.

“I felt like the Dr. Phillips and Sand Lake area was in need of a ‘hospitality bar,’ and ever since I’ve been here since 1999, I’ve wanted to open this bar — for probably 15 to 20 years — in this location,” said Paddywagon Orlando Managing Partner Mike Hunsucker. “I’m super excited to be able to do it here and now.” 

Paddywagon Irish Pub is a franchise based out of Sarasota and began in 1996. Hunsucker described it as a local, friendly neighborhood pub, Irish in theme. Paddywagon prides itself on friendly service and a fun atmosphere.

Hunsucker said the franchise owners have been wanting to get into the Orlando market for quite some time, so when they found the pub’s current spot in the Dellagio, it just made sense.

“This was a boutique clothing store before, pinks and purples,” he said. “We thought there was a void in Dr. Phillips of just a neighborhood, local, friendly, relaxed, come-as-you-are bar. That’s all we are and that’s all we want to be.”

The bar boasts 25 beers on draft and a mix of both local and craft beers. It even has a partnership with Crooked Can Brewing Company in Winter Garden.

And although it is a true bar and doesn’t serve food, guests are more than welcome to bring in their own. Local businesses in the Dellagio, such as Miller’s Field and Bravo Cucina, will deliver to Paddywagon. Additionally, Hunsucker said, food joints such as Jimmy John’s and Peperoncino are located nearby.

Pool tables and steel-dart games that are free to play are available to guests, and multiple big-screen TVs throughout play all the top sports games. The Irish theme shines through with massive photos of “old-school Irish guys” and a partnership with Guinness, Murphy’s and Harp.

“We just try to make it a fun atmosphere,” Hunsucker said. “I wouldn’t necessarily call us the most authentic pub in the world ... we just want to have the Irish, local, comfortable feel.”

The fact that there’s cyclical business from the tourism close by is an added factor for success, and Paddywagon ensures it is a place that offers a welcome respite for employees in the hospitality industry. 

“Our late-night focus for business from Sunday to Thursday ... is the hospitality crowd,” Hunsucker said. “When people get off work, we want to be the place where they can go have a drink and be comfortable.”

Contact Danielle Hendrix at [email protected].